Family Support Assistant

The Family Support Assistant provides support for the Services and Education teams for families who reside in Sokol Place. In support of the Services Team the Family Support Assistant will collaborate frequently with Case Managers and Housing Specialists to coordinate services and prioritize client needs. In this role, the Family Support Assistant will work directly with clients as well as internal and external service providers. In support of the Education Team the Family Support Assistant provides support in coordination of childrens educational and developmental activities, including facilitating activities and fostering a safe and supportive environment during the daily Epic Kids afterschool program for children in emergency shelter.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities for Support for Services Team:

• Assist with client tasks related to housing and employment (such as resume building & job searching) and other life skills.
• Complete client assessments related to employment and adult education.
• Coordinate medical, dental, and mental health appointments for adult clients as needed to reduce barriers to accessing care.
• Provide childcare as needed during appointments.
• Assist with completion of applications, to include, but not limited to, Medicaid, housing, employment, benefits, etc.
• Assist adult clients in coordinating childrens medical appointments and immunizations and meeting the basic needs of their children and gathering appropriate documents.
• Assist with other appointments and follow-up as it relates to mainstream benefits, Social Security benefits, vital documents etc.
• Establish professional, supportive relationships with all participants
• Document client files consistently, completing all required documents and notes within the timeframes allotted.
• Coordinate transportation services and/or transport families for regular health care, mental health care, scheduled housing viewings, and other business-related appointments as needed.
• Conduct housing searches and collaborate/negotiate with landlords/property managers.
• Assist with facilitation of groups and/or childcare activities during on-site activities as needed.
• Attend staff meetings and in-service training as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Responsibilities for Education Team Support:

• Assist with dinner service for Epic Kids
• Plan, participate and engage children in various enrichment activities in collaboration with Mental Health Specialist and Afterschool Assistant.
• Assist students in grades K-12th with homework assignments, special projects and tutoring in core subjects.
• Foster a safe and fun environment while facilitating agency rules and policies
• Organize, clean and sanitize childrens space before leaving shift, and assist with regular cleansing of games and toys and other facilities upkeep
• Model positive and nurturing behavior at all times, interacting in a fair and meaningful way.
• Practice healthy and appropriate methods of discipline and redirection.
• Identify and report child concerns and/or issues to Mental Health Specialist and/or Senior Manager of Education, including parental concerns and/or issues.

Customer Service:

• Provide service to internal and external customers according to standards as outlined in ForKids Customer CARE Manual.

Financial Management:

• Use agency resources (financial and non-financial) prudently.
• Acknowledge and follow financial policies of the agency.

Grants Data Management:

• Accurately complete all required data reporting in accordance with established guidelines.
• Participate in all scheduled data collection trainings.

Community Engagement:

• Participate in development and fundraising activities as needed and requested (ex: meeting with donors, providing tours, attending fundraising events).
• Regularly engage, support, and collaborate with volunteers to provide a meaningful experience.

Education and Experience:

Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university in a social services related field is preferred but not required. At least one year of educational, volunteer and/or employment experience with vulnerable populations

Essential Functions, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Must be available to work regular evening ours and occasional weekend hours if needed.
• Knowledge of conflict resolution strategies.
• Knowledge of child protection standards and procedures.
• Knowledge of the use of personal computers and standard office software.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to document services provided to clients.
• Ability to correctly assess situations within scope of responsibility and to make sound judgments within existing laws, policies and regulations.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with parents, children, co-workers and with representatives of other agencies and programs.
• Ability to effectively communicate with both clients and co-workers regarding services being provided.
• Ability to effectively prioritize tasks and responsibilities.
• Ability to calmly handle changes in plans/schedule.
• Ability to plan daily activities to achieve identified goals.
• Valid drivers license with no more than three minor moving violations and/or accidents combined within the last three years, and no major moving violations in the past five years.
• Ability to drive agency 12 passenger vans on a regular basis.
• Ability to drive personal vehicle for agency-related business occasionally.
• Knowledge of basic math, English and science skills.
• Ability to assist children with homework and age-appropriate learning activities.
• Must be able to lift at least 50 pounds, climb stairs, bend, crouch, crawl, stoop, run, and swim.